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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex
Published on: September 5, 2018
Neocortical pyramidal cells with axon-carrying basal dendrites: a prominent feature regulated by activity
David Bietz1, Burak Ceylan1, Andrea Räk1
1Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
Brain Structure & Function
|August 12, 2026
Summary
Axon-carrying dendrites (AcDs) in the neocortex originate from a
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Axon-carrying dendrites (AcDs) are specialized neuronal structures observed in the hippocampus and neocortex.
- These dendrites bypass the soma, directly transmitting synaptic inputs to the axon and escaping somatic inhibition.
- In non-primate neocortex, 15-20% of pyramidal cells exhibit basal AcDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental origin of axon-carrying dendrites (AcDs) in pyramidal neurons.
- To explore the role of neuronal activity, calcium signaling, and glutamatergic pathways in AcD formation.
Main Methods:
- Observation of immature migrating pyramidal neurons.
- Manipulation of neuronal activity using pharmacological agents (kainate, carbachol) and receptor inhibitors (GluN2B).
- Altering intracellular calcium levels via indicator protein expression.
Main Results:
- Immature neurons initially possess axons before developing basal dendrites, suggesting a 'dendrite-carrying axon' (DcA) precursor stage.
- Inhibition of GluN2B receptors, altered calcium buffering, and activity deprivation reduced AcD formation.
- Enhanced glutamatergic activity accelerated AcD development in pyramidal neurons.
- Interneuron AcD proportions remained unaffected by the treatments.
Conclusions:
- The larval stage of cortical AcD pyramidal neurons likely involves a DcA configuration.
- Basal AcD formation is transiently regulated by neuronal activity, calcium dynamics, and glutamatergic signaling.
Keywords:
Activity-dependent neurite growthBasket cellsCalciumGABA-ergic inhibitory neuronsNMDA receptor GluN2B and GluN2DOrganotypic cortex culturesMore Related Videos
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